When composing text based documents, word prediction software can assist those with difficulty writing or editing by offering predictions for appropriate words consistent with the context.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people with learning disabilities, motor or communication impairments or those using English as a second language, that may have difficulty spelling or choosing a word suitable for their document or difficulty simply using input devices to input data, word prediction software can assist by (not all features available in all software):
- giving examples of how words are used (for confusing words) to allow an appropriate choice
- giving verbal feedback on possible mistakes or for choices of words to fit the context
- giving word predictions based on a range of spelling
- expanding abbreviations or sentence completion
- predicting spelling by alphabetical means, frequency of use, phonetic spelling or common mistakes such as letter omissions/inclusions
- capacity to add to dictionaries as words are used
- use within spreadsheets, databases, word processors or web based browsers
Other software options to assist with composition and proof reading of documents include:
(Quillsoft 2007; Spectronics 2007).
References
Quillsoft 2007, WordQ writing software, Quillsoft Ltd., Ontario, viewed 16 November 2007, <http://www.wordq.com/>.
Spectronics 2007, Word Prediction Software Comparison Chart, Spectronics Australia, Rochedale, viewed 16 November 2007, <http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/library.asp?article=22248>.